Potato and meat pie

Potato and meat pie

A spicy take on the Shepherd's pie. A one dish meal best had in the cold season.

Serves 3 to 4
Preparation and cooking time: 40 minutes to 1 hour

Ingredients

1. Minced meat (either mutton or beef) - 1/2 kg
2. Potatoes (boiled, peeled and mashed) - 1/2 kg
3. Onions roughly chopped - 1/2 cup
4. Ginger very finely chopped - 1 teaspoon
5. Garlic chopped - 1 teaspoon
6. Tomatoes chopped - 1/2 to 1 cup (as required)
7. Green chillies chopped finely (optional) - 1 teaspoon
8. Mixed vegetables (like peas, beans, carrots etc) diced - 1 cup
9. Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon
10. Turmeric powder - 1/2 teaspoon
11. Chilli powder (or flakes) - 1/2 teaspoon or as required
12. Pepper powder - as required
13. Garam masala - 1 teaspoon
14. Worcestershire sauce (optional) - according to taste
15. Cream - 1/2 cup
16. Green coriander leaves - 1 tablespoon
17. Salt to taste
18. Oil for sauteing
19. Hard boiled eggs (optional) - 2

Method

1. Set oven for 175 degrees.
2. In a pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Add ginger, garlic, green chillies and onions and saute for a minute. Add coriander powder, turmeric powder and chilli powder. Stir for a minute on medium heat, making sure the spices do not burn.
3. Add the minced meat and stir, breaking any meat lumps as you stir.
4. Add the tomatoes, salt and a cup of water to cook the mince.
5. When the meat is almost done and dry, add the diced vegetables and 1/2 cup of water. Cook till the vegetables are done. Add the garam masala, worcestershire sauce (optional) and pepper powder. Adjust seasoning. Stir well. Chop the boiled eggs and keep aside.
6. Add salt, cream, finely chopped coriander leaves and a pinch of pepper to the mashed potatoes. Mix well breaking any lumps.
7. In an oven-proof deep dish, tip in all the meat mix and top with the chopped eggs.
8. Then, layer it with the potato mash and using a fork, make lines on top of the pie. Bake for at least 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. The lines on the potato layer should be golden.
9. Serve hot with a green salad.

Tips

This can be made ahead and baked at a mealtime. The method may be followed till the dish is assembled with the potatoes, and then it may be refrigerated. Baking time will be a little longer in such a case.

Spice amounts may be changed according to requirement.